TULALIP, Wash. — The availability of opioid overdose treatment NARCAN will increase in Washington schools after a bill passed the state House and Senate.
NARCAN will now be available to all schools in Washington, regardless of size. The goal is to make overdose treatment accessible amid climbing overdose rates in students.
Under previous Washington state law, only school districts with more than 2,000 students could keep a single dose of NARCAN in every high school. SB 5804 increases availability of the treatment by expanding availability to all school districts in the state, no matter the size.
“The goal is to have life-saving tools available to students, teachers, and others in cases of both intentional and accidental exposure," bill sponsor Sen. Patty Kuderer said. "This legislation will put over-the-counter opioid overdose treatment in all schools in the state, including charter schools, state tribal compact schools, elementary, middle and high schools."
NARCAN was used in 42 schools in the state of Washington during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the Washington Office of Public Instruction.
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